In her opening remarks during the solemn opening ceremony of the 5^th Armenia-Diaspora Conference, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan set aside the key objectives that Armenians in Armenia and the Diaspora must meet by standing united as one and sharing the same views. The first of them is to build a strong and secure Armenia. “I believe all Armenians want to see a strong and secure Mother Homeland. Our Homeland faces several challenges in the country, in the region and in different parts of the world. It is clear that in order to overcome those challenges, we need to work together and stand united as one. We need to consolidate the intellectual, financial and organizational capacities of all Armenians to overcome those challenges,” the minister mentioned.

The second objective is to ensure the independence and security of Artsakh. “We take pride in the courage and persistence of the people of Artsakh. All Armenians are looking towards Artsakh. Diaspora Armenians are also involved in the solution to Artsakh’s social and economic issues with vigor and goal-oriented assistance,” Hranush Hakobyan said.

Hranush Hakobyan also attached importance to the need of having an organized Diaspora since only with a strong and united Diaspora will it be possible to resist the current challenges, bring a new sweep to the struggle for the Armenian Cause, solve the vital issues facing the Republic of Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, resist and even prevent the assimilation of Armenians in the Diaspora and the loss of language and culture, keeping the Armenian identity alive in the new generation of Armenians in the Diaspora.

The minister attached importance to preservation of the Armenian language in the Diaspora. “It is no secret that the greatest concern of all Diaspora Armenians is knowledge and preservation of the Armenian language, and the source of the identity is Mother Armenia. The Armenian government provides millions of dollars in funding to Armenian schools and cultural centers in the Diaspora to help Armenians undergoing trials and tribulations. Those funds will increase along with Armenia’s reinforcement. Armenia is strong with its four pillars, including Armenian language, faith, culture and family. While maintaining the Homeland, we must also preserve and sanctify the Armenian language as a divine language and as the guarantee for our nation’s eternity and integrity.”

One of the priorities is the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. Highlighting the fact that there had never been such goal-oriented, multilateral and coordinated efforts as there are now, the minister stressed the following: “We are especially grateful to the countries and international organizations that have recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide as the most horrible crime against humanity and have demanded that Turkey lift the heavy burden, confront its past and recognize the Armenian Genocide.”

In closing, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan urged everyone to unite around the Armenian Church. “For centuries, the Armenian Church has been and still is the center for preserving the spirit and national identity of all Armenians and has become a strong citadel for preserving the nation that lost its statehood.”